As I was checking the front page of MSNBC yesterday, the first thing I saw was "Michael Jackson staged to announce comeback." While I first wondered why they would announce his comeback before Michael Jackson did so himself, I later started thinking as to whether this story was newsworthy enough to merit a center spot on the front page. With the exception of the auction at Neverland Ranch, Michael Jackson has been out of the spotlight for some time now. According to the article, he will be playing 10 concerts this July at London's O2 Arena, which has hosted acts like Elton John and the Spice Girls within the past few years. After these shows, Jackson says he will retire permanantly from performing.
But, in the eyes of the general public, hasn't he been retired from music for some time now? I can't remember the last time I associated Michael Jackson with his music over his financial and legal troubles. I'm not saying Michael Jackson isn't important anymore, just that he's a part of pop culture for different reasons other than "Beat It" or "Thriller."
And this is precisely why I think this "comeback" will be a spectacular failure. While I think people still appreciate his music, (I know I do.) I don't really think anyone thinks of him as capable to do any of his '80s and '90s hits justice. Whether he is or not, the public views him only as a bankrupt pedophile, not the man who moonwalks and can rock the one glove look. Michael Jackson is so far from his former self both physically and mentally that it simply wouldn't be worth the price of tickets (which I'm sure is incredibly overpriced) to try to pretend like it would be the same as him performing 20 years ago.
Apparently I'm not the only one that shares this sentiment. According to the article, few people showed up after the press conference to try to meet him or get his autograph, and entertainment officials say that fans may be hesitant to buy tickets given his erratic and unpredictable behavior. Yes, it's sad that us younger folks who love his music can never see the true Michael Jackson bust a move and belt "Billy Jean," but he can always live on in our own horrible imitations and Greatest Hits CDs.
Source: Here
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Discussion
PHANTAZM
March 7th 2009 at 07:09 AM
I'm not a Jacko fanatic,but give him some credit.How do you know he won't satisfy the public's expectations?Isn't it a bit early to have such a strong opinion?I know that in the past decade he hasn't done much,but come on.I mean,it's been only a day since he announced his comeback and you've already jumped to the conclusion that it will be a failure.That's so uncool.
LAURA
March 13th 2009 at 05:09 AM
Alot of people care about jackos comeback..they have only today come out for sale and the first 10 dates have been sold out..he has added more dates and i can bet you anything that they also will sell out fast.
MICHAEL
March 15th 2009 at 07:40 PM
i think this is ridiculous and shows how stupid your mind works. not a thriller? failure? 50 dates sold out. hmmmm... let me think..
LIGHTSPEEDBLAST
March 19th 2009 at 02:36 PM
He never said he would retire. He only said he won't be PERFORMING in LONDON anymore.
Still, zis better not be ze end...
TVVLADIMIR
March 23rd 2009 at 05:23 AM
I'm not one of his fans but he's teh greatest star of all times anyways. When i hear his music in the car i can't sit still; singing like a maniac - for his last comeback people bought all tickets in 5 seconds. yes in 5 seconds. now they r selling them for 10000 bucks. man i'd love to buy a ticket just to visit his show; heard they are the best and as for people who thinks noone cares for jackson; i think if noone did they wouldn't sell all tickets in 5 seconds. he is even more famous then teh pope himself
AFRO
March 23rd 2009 at 08:29 AM
writers let their personnal opinions blind them from facts!!!!
Michael's power is so underestimated...o2 is recession free for 2 years thanks to him....which single artist managed to ever pull a power move of that magnitude...1.000.000 ticket sold in dayz!!!!
From the beginning he knew he had to out do Prince records and shut people up...
the show will blow people away but 50 date back to back....i pray he can hold it down!!!
Even Boris Johnson should thank him coz London will be buzzin with 1000's of tourists that would have NEVER even consider travel to London otherwise...
PAIGE
March 26th 2009 at 01:31 PM
Ah, I remember being like 9 and listening to my mom's old records that she had. His were so amazing, and on the cover of one, with the photo of him and a tiger just awed me. He used to be so good looking and had such an amazing voice. I'll never understand why he did all that to himself... But I guess personalization is key?
FSF
May 20th 2009 at 06:24 AM
dude i think 'Greatest Entertaiment Of all Time' not include 2009??
plus give the guy a break he;s the king of pop dnt matter what tabs say
SIMONE
May 30th 2009 at 02:13 PM
It is not 10 concert, it is about 50 concert only in London and over 1 miljon loving fans will se him. King of pop Michael Jackson has milion of fans aroun the world who will se him live dancing and singing. He is the best!
ZOE LANDELL
June 17th 2009 at 09:27 PM
seeing how his tickets are marked as the highest sold out concert in history, the dissapointment you express from his fans towards their trust in his performance is straight up moronic.
Don't be persuaded by what you've heard from the idiotic slander the media comes up with, his personal life or other wise. I'm not a fan nut but I do think his contribution to not only music, fashion and charity ( which he is known as giving the most money to various charities then any celebrity ever) should be highly noted and commended.
LEXIE STANDFERD
June 18th 2009 at 09:02 AM
I love michael jackson, hes the bomb
IRIS
June 18th 2009 at 03:51 PM
Michael Jackson (as my mum says) ruined his face. He isn't the good looking guy he used to be. And when this article says 'Whether he is or not, the public views him only as a bankrupt pedophile, not the man who moonwalks and can rock the one glove look.' I agree completely. Looks can do a lot. When there are accusations like him being a pedophile, it just... kills it, man. In my book, he's not the great King of Pop that he used to be. Though there are tons of fans, it's just not the same.
BRITTANY
June 26th 2009 at 02:53 AM
awwwww r.i.p mike.
CSIBII
June 26th 2009 at 04:21 AM
R.I.P Michael..=(
HIKKIE
June 26th 2009 at 10:25 AM
Wat ERG Michael Jackson is overleden dat is zo ERG!!!
CRISTINA
June 26th 2009 at 06:50 PM
we miss u ......Rest in peace!!
MEHDI
June 27th 2009 at 02:12 PM
I can't believe his death
Michael Jackson is deat and I'm so sorry
this is so terrible that he is gone
"Rest in peace" Dear Michael
you're forever and world will not forget you
KING OF POP
June 28th 2009 at 02:41 AM
me dolio mucho la muerte de jackson,
asi que le compuse una melodia en el piano,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDpE6knhBMs
espero q les guste y que le guste a jackson! :D
MR. CALLAGHER
June 28th 2009 at 11:29 AM
Well he's dead now, so are you HAPPY NOW?!!!
Pfff!!
BRITTNI
June 28th 2009 at 02:30 PM
and now he is dead........
NATASHA
June 28th 2009 at 04:16 PM
Well. He is dead now, RIP. And you see, the whole world suddenly cares a lot. Here in Norway they play his music in stores and on radios all the time as a tribute and almost everyone is shocked and sad. I think its funny that people said uhh he is so ugly, why did he ruin his face and stuff like that, and then they say oh noo its so sad he died he was the best... You know.
MICHAELA
June 28th 2009 at 08:10 PM
who the hell are u to judge him? YOU are nothing compare to him. U are cruel and sick and i dont care what the hell you say in this blog. when u die , no one will bother coz ur NOTHING.
Michael had his shares of scandals..he is a public figure, evry mistakes he made was higlighted! he was just HUMAN and dont dare judge him coz ur nothing compared to him..u freaking asshole
CHAHRAZ
June 29th 2009 at 11:18 AM
je suis tres triste,c la star du monde et il restera tjr,rabi yarhmek MICHAEL JACKSON je le souhaite le bonheur eternel.inchalah amen
MUIE SUA
June 29th 2009 at 07:10 PM
and now he's dead :) good article , nice point of view ;) morrons , RIP MJ
ICEHEART
June 29th 2009 at 11:04 PM
IS SO SAD ...HE DIED... I LIKE/D HIM ......RESPEKT JUST FOR HIM
ZED
June 30th 2009 at 06:51 AM
GOD BLESS HIS SOUL! HE WAS, HE IS, AND HE WILL ALWAYS BE "THE KING OF POP". MR. Hayley Lamberson, I AM SORRY I DIDN'T SEE YOUR ARTICLE WHEN MICHAEL WAS ALIVE, BECAUSE MY WORDS FOR YOU SHOULD BE VERY HURTFULL FOR YOU, BUT NOW, BECAUSE I RESPECT MICHAEL, I JUST PITY YOU. LEARN MORE AND WRITE LITTLE.
REST IN PEACE, MICHAEL!
HEYHO
June 30th 2009 at 07:21 AM
He is dead, there won't be a comeback !
GEMZ GEMZ
June 30th 2009 at 01:54 PM
I luv him and i always will 4 his great music.
The music u hear 2 day wouldnt be the same if michael jackson wasnt ere. We will always remember u!
JULIE
July 1st 2009 at 07:40 AM
I love you michael jackson !
You are in my heart.
Tu es irremplaçable...
ANONIEM
July 1st 2009 at 07:51 PM
Michael Rocks, he's not a pedofile and just listen to his music, to the lyrics and the beat, it has a meaning! So what that he ruind his face? Many celebrity's do!
Rest in Peace Michael!
LESLIE
July 1st 2009 at 09:25 PM
Someone who writes for the newspaper of an expensive and prestigious university should be ashamed to spell the title of one of Jackson's most well-known songs incorrectly. The song is spelled "Billie Jean".
MRTRICKETT
July 2nd 2009 at 03:53 PM
Wow. Bet you all feel horribly inappropriate reading this back now ey?
ANONYMOUS
July 3rd 2009 at 08:17 AM
You people, have no respect for the greatest entertainer of all time since ELvis Presley, we all know that we love his music, style, dance, & voice.
what i cant stand is that everyone knows he was completely innocent of the accusations, he had nothing nasty, dirty, disgusting inside him but the love of his fans, he has VITILIGO its a disease. makes white patches in your body, he evened it out, didnt wanna look like a monster and have people feel sorry for him.
Signed,
Anonymous
CZ858
July 3rd 2009 at 08:58 AM
"but does anyone really care?"
Millions of people do!
Well hasn't the author of this article eaten her words after seeing the world's reaction to his untimely death!! Of course, the man was past his prime, but everyone crests the hill sometime. As a performer, he may not have shocked fans like he did 25+ years ago - but they dont care, he would have sold out concerts rolling back and forth on stage in a wheel chair.
The mans albums are going number one, AGAIN!
A true legend, whether you like him or not.
RIP
R.I.P WE.LOVEEUU <3
July 3rd 2009 at 07:04 PM
seriously
he had skin cancer !
the pigments in his skin stopped making his colour && he had to go lighter, he wasn't ashamed of being black ! && now everyone misses him. He isn't a pedo, he was proved to be innocent && those that accused him were proven to be frauds who did this for money, they said so themselves.
ANNOYMOUS
July 3rd 2009 at 07:17 PM
he is dead now u dopes ***R.I.P MICHAEL JACKSON***
n he did dah 2 his face coz of his fukin family who dissd him al dah tym
ANNA
July 3rd 2009 at 09:56 PM
i love u michael jackson miss u
INI
July 3rd 2009 at 10:52 PM
WELL I GUESS PEOPLE DID CARE, DIDN'T THEY? YOU CREEP
HANS
July 4th 2009 at 09:25 AM
Dead men don't give concerts!
ANGEL
July 4th 2009 at 12:54 PM
People often judged Michael Jackson off the media and the press without ever knowing the real story behind it. As we all know, the press and media aren't always 100% true, but knowing that, people still chose to belive the press and media. No one truly knows what he had gone through in his life and now no one will ever know. He was a good man. Above all that chaos the flooded his life, he still had such grace towards mankind. He had a heart of gold. Michael has touched the lives of so many throughout the world and he has certainly touched mine. My ultimate dream was to see Michael during his comeback since i never had a chance to before. Fate did not permit but Michael will forever live in my heart and the hearts of many others.
So here's to Michael Jackson, a wonderful man who has inspired many, a man with a heart so pure. We will always remember you, Michael.
TAZ
July 4th 2009 at 03:04 PM
micheal is the best i would may any amount of money to go see him...i love him
TONI
July 4th 2009 at 04:10 PM
Spectacular failure, eh?? Still think that way?? Time to re-write your article..
DIAMONDDRIFT
July 4th 2009 at 07:12 PM
Finaly you got your answer to your question. All concerts would have been sold out and now that MJ is dead, his fans give him an outstanding tribute.
No, I´m not a fans, but someone who wishes the person MJ "rest in peace" and his children the power to go on.
What the press and the media stations did, remembers at the behaviour on the "holy church" in the middleage.
Let´s say, that he would have had some more years left, if you could behave yourselfs as humans from time to time. - RIP MJ -
and the others...shut XXXXXX up
RESUME93
July 5th 2009 at 12:17 AM
Wow, you must feel like shit now for posting such an ignorant blog. Hahahahaha. Little did you know that while you contemplated over whether or not anyone cared about his come-back, 85 million people all over the world were racing to get tickets to his final concert.
Associating Michael Jackson with his legal troubles doesn't make any sense... Someone so iconic, who has changed music and influenced society on so many levels from such a young age should not be the victim of lies and the media's attempt to stir up something. The only thing he will be remembered as is the man who could dance and move his body as if it were as easy as blinking, the man whose voice took him so far because it was different, smooth, had rhythm, the man who created a fashion trend. He stood out. The King of Pop's originality set a bar so high, nobody will be able to reach it... ever.
He was a beautiful man and will be remembered forever.
R.I.P. Michael Jackson
P.S. 10 concerts? It was an unprecedented 50 concerts that nobody has ever done. If you want to post a blog on the internet, get your facts straight. And being a good writer requires being able to support yourself. Nobody cares if your sentiment is shared. Clearly, you added that because you were unsure that your attempt would solely affect readers.
THV
July 5th 2009 at 10:11 AM
Pay a late person a respect, he deserves it. Can you donate 300 millions dollars for charity? can you rock the world like him????. Can you strong enough to suffer with such terrible media????
Stop stupids comments. Think about the good things, otherwise you soul will just be in hell.
I am not a crazy fan of him, but I wanted to be fair.
RIKKE
July 6th 2009 at 04:32 AM
May Michael RIP, never belived him to be pedophile, he never had a childhood so he created one later on. King of pop has pased on but he will always moon walk for me like back in 83...
RAJU
July 6th 2009 at 08:01 AM
oh! michel i realy miss you. i can see your dancing. you can misailes for locking-poping. ok byyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy. michel!
GOEHLMAN
July 7th 2009 at 03:24 AM
Now he is dead
KRYSTAL
July 7th 2009 at 04:32 AM
How sad it is to have written this and then he dies! Jerk! Not everyone feels the horrible pedophile opinion that you do. (Blame the Parents)And yes, he is remembered as the one glove rockin thriller singing whitest black man ever! I have done the thriller at many parties and everyone joins in and mimics with their own bad imitation of M.J. No one stops and says yeah, I hope he comes out with that new pedophile move so we can do that one too! Geeze. How many ringtones and answer tones have i heard singing a song of his? Lots! not to mention the cd cases you find at random people houses with his cds inside. Everyone has their own opinion and pedophile is definately not the majority. This man still performed after he had his face burnt and had a million bad plastics.
VERONICA
July 7th 2009 at 08:47 AM
I'm not a Jacko fanatic but I love his music...After heard that he left, I can't believe he will left so soon...anyway he is a great guy...noone can replace him. Is there any other singers that can replace him? I hope there is Jacko number 2.I also warn to all artists for not taking drugs. It's not worth to die because of drugs. They shouldn't let their fans disappointed.Not long ago Heath Ledger and now Jacko then who is next?they all just die because of drugs. If only I could become famous like him, I will save the world like in the "Heal The World Song"
LAURAE
July 7th 2009 at 09:37 AM
j'aime bien m.j et je suis tre tristre car il nou a laisse!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
JENNY
July 7th 2009 at 12:10 PM
I guess this reporter is the only one who agrees with what he wrote because I completely disagree and so do a lot of other people, just look at the fans and the public memorial being held for him today. I love Michael, he shall rest in peace without all the negative criticism of people like the one who wrote this article.
CHOM TOR
July 7th 2009 at 12:31 PM
man u guys are haters!! michael jackson will always and forever be the king of pop....! so what if he loks different now..i didnt know that looks can change ur voice..he cans till sing..did the world fall in love with him for his looks of his music? did the world name him the king of pop because of how he looked ir because of the great music he gave to us. michael jackson changed the world, music, music videos, dancing. all of the aboove..and im damn sure he changed u in some way...dont try to say to me taht u have never sang one of his songs or that u never did one of his dance moves cuz if u do thats a DAMN LIE! he influenced u in some way and for others he changed ur life. hes human. humans change. u werent a baby for long and ur not a teen for long...ur body changes ur facial structures and alot of things change! u grow its just a part of life..so if thats the reason why u guys thgink his comeback wont sell ur jus an iggnorant dummy cuz ur basically saying that sinced bow wow isnt so lil anymore ur not gonna go watch him cuz he changed hes more older now even tho he's still rapping and singing his same songs. u guiys are pure iggnorant. whoever wrote this article is an un intelligent retard who hads nothing else better to do with his life. fuckin haters! get llives.
MICKAELLA
July 7th 2009 at 01:02 PM
michael jackson etais quelqun qui nous faisait avancer qui nous faisait vivre mickael jackson I LOVE YOU et restera tout jamais dans notre coeur
MICHELE
July 7th 2009 at 01:26 PM
micheal if you can ever read this in heven i hope you are happily doing the moonwalk with god. You will alyways live on through your heart toching music and amazing dance moves. You are and ALWAYS will be the KING OF POP. Me and the rest of the world will miss but I hope to one day see you in heven and maybe be able to finlay learn the moonwalk. I love you and so dose the rest of the world.
KARINA
July 7th 2009 at 01:36 PM
I'm a Jackon fanatic, hey alot of people care for you and we miss you please came back. will did god take you if you were a wonderful person. tata unfair that you are gone. but you are in a safe place in this moments. your dream came true you open a new world to the latinos and i thank you for everythink you done. you never stop you continue, you have alot of love for others. I going to misss you. Thats not cool that you are gone. thank you for notgiven up,for hepling others. theres nobady like you.theres nothing that can be yet the raise and the vioces of your song are always there for ass and remeder you .
MYNA
July 7th 2009 at 03:18 PM
the one whom wrote this article is a stupid person!!!
u should be ashamed of yourself!!!!
did u get ur money on this?are u feeling good?are u happy now?
i hope GOD punshes u for this!!!
BLUE
July 7th 2009 at 03:57 PM
You are just an idiot who thinks he knows anything about people or music. Shut up your idiotic mouth and keep your shitty opinions to yourself. Just have a look at the number of tickets sold for the concerts and you will realise how ridiculous your words sound. Michael Jackson is a legend and no matter what other scumbags like you say, he remains the greatest.
ERIN
July 7th 2009 at 04:04 PM
I bet you take back some of what you have said in the above now as that he is gone you can see that the world will still and always will care and love him know matter what type of man he is or was. He was the king of pop, there would not be half of the people or things there are today with out such a person. They said in the nights before his pratice performances that he had the body of a 20 year old and no one saw that coming. He still had everything. I pray for his childre, his family and all of his fans. We will never forget who is what or what he did. He changed the world! No one is perfect, we all make our mistakes, have our ups and downs. His life was cut short but everything happens for a reason. We love you Michael Jackson <3
ABIR
July 7th 2009 at 06:43 PM
michael jackson is the best man and he's the king . i will always love him and please respect him for his children
KELLY
July 7th 2009 at 07:04 PM
Are U not sorry U judged him so harshly. We will never know how his concern would have went? I am the exact same age as he and I cried today watching his memorial. RIP MJ.
POORMICHAEL
July 7th 2009 at 10:21 PM
I would say that you are definitely wrong... seeing his death and the thousands affected by it, it would lead me to think that many would have enjoyed a comeback tour.
CEE JAY
July 7th 2009 at 11:23 PM
i bet now that he has passed away you regret every demeaning sentence you wrote about michael jackson.
he's human and he has flaws, whats respectable about him is that he has the guts to express his true nature despite public dismay. people like hayley lamberson who criticize an artist for being true to their soul are nothing but attention hungry. look at him for his talent, listen to his music.
hayley lamberson? you're the failure because fifty years after you're dead no one will remember you.
michael jackson will never be forgotten.
TARA
July 8th 2009 at 03:25 AM
Well i just came across your article and i see that you were soooooo wrong, his tickets............sold out in a matter of hours! Thats what i call lasting power! Its July 7 and we buried him today! The world mourned and this lets you know that he was STILL very important and will be in our hearts forever! Michael Jackson is a part of us from his days singing ABC until his final comeback that the world will never be blessed to see. Hes an icon and he always will be! I think you may have underestimated how truly talented he was and how much the WORLD love him!
TARA
July 8th 2009 at 03:26 AM
Well i just came across your article and i see that you were soooooo wrong, his tickets............sold out in a matter of hours! Thats what i call lasting power! Its July 7 and we buried him today! The world mourned and this lets you know that he was STILL very important and will be in our hearts forever! Michael Jackson is a part of us from his days singing ABC until his final comeback that the world will never be blessed to see. Hes an icon and he always will be! I think you may have underestimated how truly talented he was and how much the WORLD love him!
MICHAELA
July 8th 2009 at 07:30 AM
budeš nám veľmi chýbať Michael....bol si a si úžastný spevák..škoda,že si to mnohí uvedomili až po tvojej smrti...Si náš kráľ popu...
SHARON
July 8th 2009 at 02:18 PM
Now what do you have to say??????
ALLYSON
July 8th 2009 at 02:22 PM
You are an ass who ever wrote this article
I bet now that he's dead you feel bad
your part of what killed him all the smack talking,
you probably went home time to time and danced and sang to his songs
now you want to come disrespect him
I know that you wrote this when he was alive
but you should ALWAYS choose your words wise
I hope our werent at his Memorial
Because your just wrong on so many levels
Micheal Jackson was loved and will always be loved
Rest In Paradise Michael Joseph Jackson
"...Maybe now they'll leave you alone..."
KIM
July 8th 2009 at 06:53 PM
Michael Jackson was an absolute legend. People that believe he was a pedo are just guliable enough to believe the media. If you want to know the truth than you should watch Living With Michael Jackson, he keep's his story straight throughout the video. If it wasn't for Martin Bashir im pretty sure the rumours of Michael Jackson being a pedo wouldn't even have been brought up. He was just a caring, loving man. He believed that the world had lost there love and that giving love to kids who needed it was a great thing.. which it is. RIP.x
HAYLEY'S GODFATHER
July 8th 2009 at 09:06 PM
Michael RIP. And about you my dear Godson....well how to say it... you are an ignorant, did anybody got their money back for the 50 concerts that SOLD OUT in a few hours??? not yet right? Oh my I can tell you are a looser. Any way like my uncle used to say my dear.... F**K Off!!!
MADELLINE
July 9th 2009 at 07:24 AM
Damn..Michael gone too soon :| Our king gone .. He will allways be our king ..damn..LOVE you MICHEAL ! :X:X:
CIERA
July 9th 2009 at 11:28 AM
ok michael will forever be important what the hell is wrong with you he was a great performer and singer he was an amazing person and inspired people every where and seriously people just need to leave him alone and just let him rest in peace i will forever miss the king of pop but hes still very much alive in our hearts and soul
CIERA
July 9th 2009 at 11:30 AM
ok michael will forever be important what the hell is wrong with you he was a great performer and singer he was an amazing person and inspired people every where and seriously people just need to leave him alone and just let him rest in peace i will forever miss the king of pop but hes still very much alive in our hearts and soul
K I LOVE
July 9th 2009 at 12:58 PM
I agree people are so unhappy with themselves that they do whatever they can to destroy other people. Michael had to wrestle with his demons just like the rest of us. The only difference is since he was a superstar his life was public. Michael only want to love people for he really was a child in a mans body. He was rob of his childhood and never had his fathers love. Wont you fell real bad when the Truth comes out. If you read the lyrics to his music he was crying out for help and nobody answered the call. They were too busy stealing his money and trying to make him look bad. It is my prayer that the King of Pop meant the King of Kings and was able to find the peace in death that he could never realize in life. So all you mean vicious people remember that you reap what you sow. What will someone say about you after you are dead and gone. Focus on the "Man in the Mirror".
FUCKYOU
July 9th 2009 at 11:52 PM
WOWWWW, sho'e exactly how iggnoriant some people are. DID YOU KNOW WHY HE DID THESE CONCERTS!? He wanted OUR generation to recognize him for his music and not all these terrible accusations people have been throwing at him. And now he's dead. Wowyou just make me want to burst in tears right now. I officialy HATE you!
JANINE
July 10th 2009 at 11:02 AM
Everyone has there own opinions, No fan/critic will never actually know what went on with him. R.I.P
BARBARA
July 11th 2009 at 08:17 AM
To the author, with all due respect, maybe now, after Michael has passed, you realize just how important he was to all of us - probably even to yourself. I hope that everyone realizes that this article is just one example of how the media played a detrimental and harmful role in Michael Jackson's life because, from the beginning, he would always say there were so many things that were said about him that were false. Not for anything, his life snowballed because of one lie after another. Really, how much can one person take especially when the media chose to never give him proper, positive coverage but instead wanted to reap the monetary rewards that tabloid rumors, gossip, lies, and slander provides them? In my truest opinion, every single author that ever wrote a negative, slandering, defamation of character article about Michael Jackson should really think about how they played a serious role in destroying the life and spirit of Michael Jackson. In one general statement: "It is you, the media, who have destroyed Michael little-by-little over the years. Now, his parents are without a son, his brothers and sisters are without their brother, his friends are without their friend, the world is without one of the best souls that lived on the planet, music is without genius, and his children are without a father. And why? Because, the media had a field day in destroying him while making a profit for themselves.
PALOMA EVILLYN ALVES DA SILVA
July 13th 2009 at 12:27 PM
ele era tudo de inportante para minha vida ele era lindo um otimo pai para todos seos filhos que deus abensoe
OAS
July 18th 2009 at 10:57 AM
The tickets sold out very quickly, so obviously many did not share your sentiment. I think you meant this article seriously, but had MJ limited his concerts to the 10 originally planned, he might have lived and gone through with them, and he would have managed to be riveting. I think your feelings may have changed after his death. He meant more to us than we realized - and I wasn't even an ardent fan, although I loved his talent.
DEVO
August 10th 2009 at 06:50 PM
I stopped listening to Michael Jackson around the same time he stopped being a black man and morphed into a macabre version of Diana Ross, replete with multiple facial reconstructive surgeries, wigs, skin lightening and prosthetic nose.
The "man" acted like a freakish dandy...he had an effeminate voice he used in public which was unlike his own, deeper register and he dressed like a fop.
And, despite his rabid and delusional fans' desire to whitewash his record, Jacko was without a doubt a pedophile and a long-time drug addict.
Not exactly a role model.
What's scary is that this rich and talented person descended into depravity and that none of the sycophants around him had the guts to tell him to stop the madness.
The media didn't do that to Wacko Jacko, he did it to himself: the media just gave him an apt nickname.
And now his pathetic fans are so willing to forgive the perverse and disgusting behavior of a child molester/drug user because he was famous and talented.
How sick.
How sad.
TASHINA
August 29th 2009 at 09:08 PM
You do know that he wore a wig because he had horrible burns on his head during that pepsi commercial thing right?? Would you rather have a patch of hair missing or wear a wig? Let's use common sense now people. If you notice music artists nowadays mostly sound the same have the same tired moves. Michael Jackson is original, and so what if he had surgery done, doesn't everyone do the exact thing, no one is clowning on them. Leave him alone, besides he's resting in peace now so that you people can't bad mouth his name anymore.
LEANNE
August 30th 2009 at 12:09 PM
I cannot believe this I came across your article by accident and read it and I bet you feel bad now he's dead and if you don't you should. I am only 14 and I had only heard a few of his songs before his death but now I have heard loads of them and I am only just realising what a great performer he was. His comeback sold out in minutes, that just shows you how much people cared, I think you should be ashamed of yourself, he wasn't just a great entertainer he was a great person. R.I.P Michael, maybe they will leave you alone now x
SARAH HOOKHAM
August 30th 2009 at 10:10 PM
michale jackson he is amazing in the world but he is my singer I can't believe that he is gone because I loss my mum die last year but I miss her so much like michale jackson thank you so much to your famliy so much for them
MIKE
September 9th 2009 at 09:05 AM
to DEVO... how was he "without a doubt" a pedophile? if you honestly feel that way then maybe you should have been a part of the prosecution when he was on trial... or part of the criminal investigation back in 1993, which the settlement had absolutely no bearing on. they didn't go forward with criminal charges because of the settlement, they closed the case because the 200 people they interview about the situation couldn't provide them with enough evidence. Jordy Chandler could still have testified after the settlement, he chose not to. the only reason anyone thinks he's a pedophile is because alot of news outlets automatically started running negative stories before checking them and people believed them without hesitation because those are the people who are incapable of forming their own opinions and drawing proper conclusions with the evidence that's available... in Michael Jackson's case, not enough to prove anything. albeit he did make himself look bad by settling in any way with the first famiy. but how can the media accurately report that it was around $20 million when the details are completely confidential? the only thing that could have been leaked was that Jordy Chandler's father initially asked for that much, but he was shot down. the actual details of the settlement are extremely classified and illegal to talk about so there's no way the news could have had an accurate source. it's pretty sad that when it came to MJ there was no such thing as "objective reporting" because it was such a huge story that anything, especially the negative, would be sure to get ratings or sell magazines, newspapers, etc. if you look past the media circus and do a little research, you would see that the case that was actually brought to trial was shot full of holes by the defense due to the family's history of false accusations of sexual abuse (J.C. Penny was sued for 90,000 by the Arvizo family for sexual assault after an altercation with the store's security when Gavin was caught shoplifting and the mother attacked that security guard) and the rebuttal video that was played in court. i mean seriously, they claimed that MJ falsely imprisoned them when, during the same time period, the kids were constantly visiting malls, arcades and restaurants and the mother was going to salons a couple times a week getting waxes and whatnot all on MJs dime. the kids started getting rowdy, feeling entitled and causing trouble and so MJ decided to distance himself from them. only after they were on their way out did the accusations come up. my point is that there's stronger evidence disproving the allegations against MJ than there is proving them and yet the media always seemed to lean toward the negative. i won't be so bold as to say i know for a fact that the he did or didn't do these things. but being a fan, i decided to do some research, and had i come up with anything pointing to something bad, i would cease to be a fan... but the conclusion i drew was that he was innocent. people like you who claim to "know" the truth about situations with which you have absolutely no involvement or connection based on what you hear or read in news articals are delusional and moronic. there's nothing you can say to argue any of my points because i drew my conclusion from facts. i still won't claim that what i say is an absolute fact, but my educated guess is alot better than yours. all of the negative things said are based on speculation and simply alot of people's overall opinion that he was an odd person... no solid proof, period.
INDEA
September 11th 2009 at 10:43 AM
well jocko is dead but still we stlill hear is songs
DJSOTRAB
September 25th 2009 at 03:20 PM
sometimes people at the U of C just don't get it!
this article is a perfect example of just that....
ELSON
November 17th 2009 at 02:36 PM
These comments are way too harsh. Hayley is right---this comeback attempt was overhyped. He would not be such a big deal right now if he hadn't passed away. American pop culture reveres dead celebrities more than they were universally adored during life (i.e. Jackson, Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, etc.)